Luggage case



June 10, 1969 o, MAILE 3,448,838

LUGGAGE CASE V have NTOR 0170 "Al L.E

A'rrvs.

United States Patent A 3,448,838 LUGGAGE CASE Otto Maile, Villa Park, Ill., assignor to Leathercraft,

Inc., a corporation of Illinois Filed Nov. 20, 1967, Ser. No. 684,211

Int. Cl. A45c 13/00, 3/00 US. Cl. 190-49 4 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A luggage case comprises two hingedly connected sections with a valance that includes extruded aluminum pieces clinched to each section. A U-shaped channel strip is clinched by one of the pieces and projects laterally therefrom and interfits with the other piece when the case is closed. A handle support and locks for the case are housed within the channel strip.

This invention relates to improvements in luggage cases of a type having recessed handle support and lock structures.

It is an object of this invention to provide an improved luggage case having a valance that includes edge pieces clinched to and extending around the rim of each case section and a U-shaped channel strip secured to one of the edge pieces and extending around the case between the sections. The channel opens outwardly and permits the handle support and locks for the case to be mounted therein. The edge pieces and channel strip may be of extruded aluminum.

It is a further and more specific object of this invention to provide a luggage case of the type stated in which one of the edge pieces has a laterally open slot that receives one of the flanges of the channel strip so that part of the one edge piece forms an outwardly projecting extension of the flange. The other edge piece also has a slot that receives the other flange of the channel strip when the case is closed so that both edge pieces form extensions of the channel strip flange. When the case is open the aforesaid other flange provides a rigidifying member for the adjacent part of the channel strip.

It is also an object of this invention to provide a luggage case of the type stated that is light in weight yet durable in construction and attractive in appearance.

The attainment of the above and further objects of this invention will be apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing forTning a part thereof.

In the drawing:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a luggage case constructed in accordance with and embodying the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary side-elevational view, on an enlarged scale, and showing the bottom portion of the case;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view, on an enlarged scale, taken along line, 3-3 of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary bottom plan view of the case, on an enlarged scale.

Referring now in more detail and by reference characters to the drawing, 1 designates a luggage case with;

hingedly connected sections comprising form-sustaining plastic shells 2, 3, the interior surfaces of which are provided with suitable linings 5, 6. The shells 2, 3 are of approximately rectilinear configuration having rim portions 7, 9 presented toward each other and defining the openings into the shells.

A valance structure extends completely around the case 1 and spans the gap between the rim portions 7, 9 when the case is closed. The valance comprises extruded "Ice aluminum edge pieces 11, 12 which, as shown in FIG. 3, are recessed for receiving the trim portions 7, 9 and in which the rim portions 7, 9 are clinched as by bending outwardly the inner lips 13, 14 of the edge pieces 11, 12. The outwardly presented surfaces of the edge pieces 11, 12 may also be provided with outwardly opening recesses extending longitudinally completely around the valance for receiving decorative strips 15, 16 of plastic material.

The valance structure also includes an extruded aluminum channel strip 17 having spaced outwardly extending flanges 18, 19 and a web- 21 of uniform thickness running therebetween. One of the edge pieces 12 has a lateral slot 22 that receives the flange 19, which is somewhat thicker than the other flange 18. The flange 19 is retained in the slot 22 by reason of a longitudinal undercut 24 near the junction of the flange 19 and the web 21 and into which a small lip on the edge piece 12 fits. The flange 19 may be clinched in a place after assembly of the channel strip 17 and the edge piece 12. The edge piece 12 provides a permanent outward extension of the flange 19 while the other flange 18 results in rigidifying the adjacent part of the channel strip 17 when the case is open.

When the case is closed, the flange 18 lodges in a lateral slot 26 in the edge piece 11. The slot 26 is about the same width as that of the flange 18 so that the edge piece 11 provides an outward extension of the flange 18 only when the case is closed. The outer peripheries of the edge pieces 9, 11 are about equidistant from the web 21 when the case is closed, which gives a visual effect of a channel piece running entirely around the case and with the channel having side flanges of equal height. For decorative purposes, the web 21 may have an exterior lining of plastic or other non-metallic material which is bonded thereto. This lining 27 extends around the valance.

The foregoing construction provides an outwardly open channel extending around the shells 2, 3. Within this channel suitable lock structures 30, 31 and a handle support 32 may be mounted, the latter carrying a pivotally connected handle 33. Each of the lock structures 30, 31 and handle support 32 may be fastened in any suitable manner to the channel web 2'1. The lock structures 30', 31 will be above the flange 26 but may be above or flush or even below the outer periphery of the edge piece 12. Likewise, at least portions 34, 35 of the handle support may be flush or below the outer periphery of the edge piece 12 and also similarly positioned with respect to the edge piece 11 when the case is closed. However. the parts 34, 35 will be above the flange 26. Conventional lock tongues (not shown) may extend from the edge piece 11 for releasable engagement in a known manner with the locks 30, 31.

The hinge structure for the case sections may consist of two hinges at the bottom of the case, one being shown in FIGS. 2 and 4. The hinge may contain two hinge plates 39, 40 riveted to the respective shells 2, 3, and having interfitting hinge knuckles 41, 42 that are secured by a hinge pin 43. Underlying one of the hinge plates 40 is a block 45 that spans and conceals the junction 46 of the abutting ends of the valance portion that is made up of the channel strip 17 and edge piece 12 to stabilize the case in this region. A rivet 48- may pass through the hinge plate 40, the block 45 and the channel web 21. In this regard it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the channel strip 17 and edge piece 12 will be assembled and then bent to the rectangular shape shown and then assembled with the case section 3. Likewise, the edge piece 11 is bent to the rectangular shape shown and then secured to its case section 2. The junction 49 of the edges of the edge piece 11 may also be concealed by the hinge plate 40.

The precise construction herein shown is illustrative o the principles of the invention. VWhat is considered new 4 ing. member..for .the adjacent part of the channel strip each comprising a shell'having a rim portion at an opening into the shell, said rims being presented toward each other, and a valance spanning the gap between said rim portion when the case is closed, said valance including an edge piece secured to each rim portion, a channel strip secured to one of said edge pieces and projecting toward the other edge piece when the case is closed, said channel strip having spaced outwardly extending flanges and a web extending therebetween, the edge piece from which said channel strip projects having a slot opening toward said channel strip and receiving one of said flanges so that part of said last-mentioned edge piece constitutes .a permanent outward extension of said flange received thereby and said channel strip and a part of said one edge piece forming an outwardly opening channel around the case and between the shells, a handle support and adjacent lock means in said channel, said other edge piece having a slot that receives the other flange when the case is closed so that a part of said other edge piece forms an outward extension of said other flange, said other flange being retracted from the slot in said other edge piece when the case is opened and said other flange constituting a rigiditywhen the case is open, the part of said other edge piece that forms the outward extension being of a size such that the peripheries of said two outward extensions are substantially'the same distances from said web when the case is closed.

2. A luggage case according to claim 1 in which at least part of said handle support is substantially flush with said periphery of the extension on said one-edge pieceand is outwardly of said other flange.

3. A luggage case according to claim 1 in which th flange that is in said slot is of a thickness as measured transverse to said channel which is greater, than the thickness of the other flange.

4. A luggage case according to claim 1 in which said web is of substantially uniform thickness between the flanges.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS DONALD F. NORTON, Primary Examiner. 

